The 48-year-old Dunedin barrister has been appointed to the prestigious office of Parliamentarian of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in London (IAML).
Ms Chan said IAML was a worldwide association of practising lawyers who were recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries.
Other Fellows of the IAML include Lady Fiona Shackleton, who acted in the divorce of Prince Charles and Lady Diana; Nicholas Mostyn (QC) who represented Sir Paul McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills; and Tom Sasser, who represented Tiger Woods in his recent divorce.
"As a measure of how difficult it is to attain Fellowship, there are only seven practising Fellows in New Zealand - only one from Dunedin - and one judicial Fellow."
Ms Chan was appointed a Fellow in 2006, and in 2008 she was elected as a Governor of the Academy, where she continues to serve.
She said her appointment to the office of Parliamentarian was a personal appointment by the president of the Academy, and involved attending regular meetings in the United States and Europe.
She felt honoured, privileged and excited to have been appointed to such a high office, she said.
"The opportunity to work alongside the international luminaries of divorce law is of great value because it enables me to stay abreast of developments in family law everywhere.
"Needless to say, I am delighted and am very much looking forward to carrying out this role."
Ms Chan was an International Bar Association (London) Business Law Scholar in 1991, the former chairwoman of the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society, former president of the Family and Youth Courts Association of New Zealand (Dunedin) Inc, and has presented at many national and international family law conferences.
